SHILLONG: The state BJP leadership has said it will stand by the MDA government in opposing the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016.
When asked about the stand of the BJP Meghalaya on the contentious bill, BJP state president Shibun Lyngdoh said on Tuesday the party has appointed AL Hek as the leader of the legislature party and “the party stands by his statement on the bill”.
Hek has already voiced his protest against the bill and he, along with another BJP legislator Sanbor Shullai, had recently submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister in this regard.
Reacting to a query, Lyngdoh pointed out that the bill was passed in Parliament whereas BJP in Meghalaya is a part of the MDA government.
“What the MDA government decides, we as a party will have the same stand as we are a part of the government,” he said and added that demand to revoke the bill has already been made by party leaders to the Prime Minister.
When asked if the passing of the bill would adversely affect the prospects of the BJP in Meghalaya in the upcoming council and Lok Sabha elections, Lyngdoh said the party has already started its preparations in full swing for the twin polls.
The party had a meeting in West Khasi Hills on Tuesday where it reconstituted the district and the mandal committees.
It has also invited applications for the council polls and the party will finalise its list before January 20, Lyngdoh informed.
“There will be no impact on BJP in Meghalaya for this bill and why should we worry when the central government passed the bill whereas our State Government has its own laws to protect us, besides the sixth schedule of the constitution,” he added.
Cong needs to be united
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said on Tuesday the Congress should be united on their stand against the bill as some of its MLAs in Barak Valley are in favour of the bill. “The NPP, on the other hand, is more united against the bill.”
Earlier, Tynsong had said there was no need for a resolution on the floor of the Assembly against the bill because the ruling and the opposition parties in the state are all against the bill.
